COP30 in Belém, Brazil—the first UN Climate Change Conference held in the Amazon since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit—marked a pivotal moment to assess progress and identify practical approaches for implementation. Dubbed by the Brazilian Presidency as the “COP of Implementation,” the conference underscored the global imperative to turn commitments into concrete action.
AIIB joined governments, multilateral development banks (MDBs), private-sector representatives and civil society to exchange views on mobilizing finance, strengthening resilience and enhancing transparency.
In 2024, AIIB allocated 67% of its regular financing to climate financing, surpassing its target for the third consecutive year. At COP30, the Bank has further outlined how it aims to continue supporting members through resource mobilization, operational delivery and approaches that consider local development needs.
Across discussions, climate adaptation emerged as priorities. Participants highlighted the importance of resilience of the low-carbon transition—an area where economies increasingly seek integrated solutions that link climate, nature and development outcomes.
MDBs collectively reported USD137 billion in climate finance from their own accounts in 2024, along with USD134 billion mobilized from private capital. AIIB contributed through programs such as a USD1 billion Climate-Focused Policy-Based Financing, supporting Brazil’s Ecological Transformation Plan. The plan includes policy measures related to energy transition, carbon market development and nature-based solutions.
Integrating Nature and Health into Climate Action
The themes of nature as infrastructure and climate finance were prominent at COP30, reflecting the Amazon setting and growing recognition of the connections between ecosystems, development and climate resilience. Participants expressed interest in approaches that link forests, food systems, oceans and climate finance.
To support this agenda, MDBs issued a Joint MDB Statement for COP30, which reiterated collective focus on adaptation, nature, and system-wide country support. Several MDBs, including AIIB, also contributed inputs to the Belém Health Action Plan, led by the COP30 Presidency, Brazil’s Ministry of Health and World Health Organization, by sharing relevant institutional experiences and activities.
AIIB partnered with the Paulson Institute, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the African Development Bank to launch Unlocking Private Finance for Nature as Infrastructure: A Public-Private Partnership. The publication sets out in practical terms how countries and financial institutions can integrate nature into infrastructure planning and mobilize private capital at scale through standardized Public-Private Partnerships for Nature.
AIIB also collaborated with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to release “Protecting Our Future: An Investment Framework for Quantifying the Climate Adaptation Benefits of Health and Immunization Investments.” With less than 0.5% of global climate finance currently directed toward health interventions, the framework offers tools to identify and prioritize projects that support communities to adapt to climate shocks such as heatwaves, floods and extreme weather events, and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases, ultimately protecting the lives and health.
Strengthening Partnerships for Delivery
A consistent theme across COP30 was the need for stronger partnerships grounded in country-led planning, transparency and coordinated support. AIIB joined MDB partners in a Call to Action for Resilience and Delivery, reaffirming its commitment to improving livelihoods and creating jobs for the resilience of communities and businesses in the face of intensified climate shocks and ecosystem degradation. MDBs also called for resilient, economically-sound development that is rooted in trust and built to last, focusing on stable institutions, reliable infrastructure, employment opportunities, adaptation to the impacts of climate shocks, and the capacity to grow within each country’s context.
Brazil’s Ecological Transformation Plan featured in several discussions as an example of integrating environmental, economic and social considerations. The launch of the Report on the Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T by the COP30 Presidency further underscored international expectations for MDBs to provide greater clarity on long-term climate finance pathways through 2035.
Emerging economies played an active role in shaping the narrative and agenda throughout the meeting, observed Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Vice President, Investment Solutions, who led the AIIB delegation to COP30 along with Erik Berglof, Chief Economist, and Alberto Ninio, General Counsel. Many economies emphasized the importance of predictable financing, tailored technical support and coherent approaches to nature and adaptation – areas where MDB partnerships are expected to play a constructive role.
AIIB’s Engagement Across COP30
AIIB’s participation started during the pre-COP private sector week in São Paulo. Discussions organized by Bloomberg and Brazil’s Ministry of Finance highlighted the essential role of private capital in meeting climate financing needs. AIIB had exchanges with various partners, including GFANZ, Green Climate Fund, HSBC, Citi, EBRD, São Paulo Municipal Government, BTG Pactual and Patria, to explore opportunities for collaboration and co-financing.
During COP30, AIIB hosted three events at the Joint MDB Pavilion focused on:
- Common ground, global baseline: building trust through climate transparency, and
- Protecting our future: the adaptation benefits of investing in resilient health & immunization systems in developing countries, and
- Unlocking private finance for nature as infrastructure: a public-private partnership.
These events provided platforms for sharing operational insights and technical perspectives relevant to AIIB members.
Throughout COP30, Pandey and the AIIB delegation held bilateral meetings with members, MDBs, development finance institutions, UN agencies, private sector organizations and civil society groups. These engagements helped reinforce cooperation with Brazilian partners, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Ministry of Transport, BNDES, BRDE and the Amazonas Legal Consortium.
Key Takeaways for AIIB
Several observations emerged from COP30:
- Economies are seeking deeper engagement and more integrated climate solutions, particularly those that link decarbonization, nature and resilience.
- There is a strong interest in expanded private-sector participation, recognizing its role in achieving financing scale.
- Partners are placing greater emphasis on implementation and delivery, including access to practical tools, predictable support and clear reporting frameworks.
- Continued MDB coordination remains important for clients navigating multiple institutions and climate-related requirements.
COP30 reinforced the importance of implementation-focused, partnership-driven approaches to climate action. As AIIB supports its members in pursuing low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways, the insights from Belém will help guide how the Bank advances our work on climate finance, nature-related investments and resilience-building projects.
AIIB remains committed to working with partners to deliver scalable, inclusive and results-focused climate solutions that contribute to sustainable development across Asia and beyond.
